Free Visions by Kay Brooks Page B

with it now.

10
     
    On Sunday, I got another text from Dr Arnold, asking if I wanted to go out for a coffee with him. I was thrilled but nervous. Why would a successful, good-looking man like him be interested in someone like me, especially now he was aware of my slightly strange nature? After what my mother and I had discussed, my faith in doctors as being all-knowing healers had been severely shaken, but I wasn’t seeing him for a diagnosis. When I turned up at the café we’d agreed on, I was surprised to see that he was already there waiting for me. Looking through the window, I noticed him wringing his hands together nervously, which gave me the courage to go and join him. He got up to pull my chair out for me and asked me what I would like before going to put an order in. I was aware of other girls stealing quick glances at him. When he came back with my caramel latte, he started straight off by asking how I was and what I’d been up to. It was flattering to spend time with someone who was so attentive, but I couldn’t help thinking that he must have an ulterior motive for wanting to spend time with me.
    “I’m sorry for putting all that rubbish on you when we saw each other out. I can actually be quite normal,” I explained, once we’d run out of small talk.
                  “That’s fine.” I laughed at his blasé response. “No, really! I actually find it all quite fascinating. Don’t you think it’s ironic that some people waste so much energy pretending that they do have predictions and insight into the future when someone
    who actually does is totally terrified by it?”
                  “You believe me?” I asked, shocked by his response.
                  “Of course I do. Why would you lie about something like that? Plus, I think it was what your mum was trying to tell me when you were in hospital, you know, without actually saying it!”
                  “That sounds like her. We had a really frank talk about it all on Friday night. It’s been a long time coming and I felt so much better afterwards.”
                  “Oh, what brought that on?”
    I wasn’t sure how to answer his question . If I tell him what really happened with the visions he might think I’m even more crazy. Or do I skirt around it and act like I don’t trust him?
    “Gillian?”
                  “Why don’t we talk about something else? Tell me something about you instead. I’m bored of me!” I joked.
                  “Ok, what to tell? I was born in Cambridge to Paul and Sofronia Arnold. My sister, Keres, is five years older than me. Part of my childhood was spent in Karia, which is in Erissos in Greece. Keres was actually born there. Erm, my dad, is a doctor. He practiced in Greece, which he loved but now he works in a little practice here. He is a GP and he loves it…” Theo drifted off, as if unsure what to say next.
                  “That’s strange because one of the reasons I became a teacher is because it’s what my mum does. Is that why you became a doctor, because your father is one?” I asked.
                  “It’s the only reason I became a doctor. My dad always said it’s the most worthwhile occupation a man can have and my mum is an old fashioned Greek woman, who said that being a doctor is a sure-fire way of getting a good wife! I wanted to become a psychologist. I even applied for the degree at university and was accepted. My dad said it was all these silly films like Silence of the Lambs that had given me the idea that it would be action-packed and exciting! I find it interesting, though.”
                  “So is that why you’re so interested in me?” I asked nervously.
                  “Yes,” he said, his face dead-pan. “Absolutely. It’s the only reason. I’m not interested in you because you make me smile or because you are the prettiest